Cortney has been teaching with TGF since 2009. Currently, she’s a Pre-Ballet & Jazz teaching artist and Co-Director of the everybody dance! Performance Company. During her time in Los Angeles, she has danced in numerous music videos, plays, live performances, and she performs often with the Modern Dance Company The Movement Movement. Before that, she was a member of Zoetic Dance Ensemble in Atlanta, GA, performing with Immerse Dance Co. and Duende Dance Theater. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a double degree in Dance and History. Cortney also does a little improv comedy and performs locally with her improv troupe.

A Houston Native, Dusty grew up as a competitive gymnast, actor, and dancer. He received his BFA from Carnegie-Mellon University and worked in NYC as a professional dancer immediately following his graduation. After a year of dancing for Disney, Ford Auto, Nickelodeon, and teaching master classes at Broadway Dance Center and StageDoor Connections, Dusty joined the Israeli dance troupe, The Aluminum Show. Following The Aluminum Show, Dusty became a company dancer with DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion®. He was involved in three creations, including Fluid Infinities, which premiered at the Hollywood Bowl in September 2013. In 2015, Dusty became Director of The DIAVOLO Institute, the company’s education and community engagement branch, which fosters dance education throughout Los Angeles. The DIAVOLO Institute partnered with everybody dance! in 2016 and he is incredibly grateful to be able to continue this enriching partnership.

Honduran born, Philippine and USA raised, Mariadela Belle Alvarez is a Los Angeles based performing artist shaped and molded by 10 years of creating, performing, and teaching throughout Philadelphia. A soulful storyteller, Alvarez creates dance theater and facilitates educational engagement at the intersections of activism, culture, and community organizing. Her choreography has been presented by the Painted Bride Art Center, Asian Arts Initiative, and PGM ONE, to name a few. Her commitment to dance and social justice has earned her scholarships to train with CONTRA-TIEMPO, Ananya Dance Theatre, and Urban Bush Women’s Summer Leadership Institute. Teaching credits include Swarthmore College, Temple University, Spelman College, and several K-12 arts education nonprofits; for which Alvarez was recognized locally by the Bartol Foundation for her leadership as a Teaching Artist. Alvarez received her early training at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts and earned her BFA in Dance from Temple University. This season, Alvarez will perform with Viver Brasil.

Kara Anthony is a native of Baltimore Maryland. Her professional dance career began at the Baltimore School for the Arts, which led her New York City to dance with The Ailey School, of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Kara has studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz, West African, Salsa, and Latin Hustle. She danced and competed in Latin Hustle after the completion of the Ailey program though out New York and Philadelphia for two years before relocating to Los Angeles. Currently, Kara freelances as a choreographer for weddings, events, and music videos. This is her first year with Everybody Dance and she is elated to have an opportunity to continue impacting the arts with teaching.

Rayven Armijo has studied Mexican folk dance and flamenco since the age of 3, pursed training at LA County Arts High School and Ailey Dance School, and toured with two New York based choreographers, Jennifer Archibald and Maguette Camara while performing modern dance, hip-hop, and West African dance. Rayven founded a company called cuerva spending countless hours working on its unique style and depth of movement that deconstructs the traditional gender roles embedded in folk dance while incorporating broader movement vocabularies. For 4 years, after returning from New York, Rayven was a soloist with Grandeza Mexicana Mexican Folk Ballet Company performing the diverse styles of Mexican folk dance. In 2008, she was a top twenty competitor in the Fox hit show So You Think You Can Dance, categorized as the “contemporary ballet dancer.” In 2009, she graduated from University of La Verne with a BS in political science, and then traveled to China to study Chinese language and culture for 6 years. Rayven is now pursuing a MFA in choreography at UCLA and is currently a teaching artist at the Judith F. Baca Arts academy in collaboration with Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC). She is a recipient of the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship Scholarship in 2015, Elaine Krown Klein Scholarship in 2016, and Harry M. and Alma Egan Hyatt Scholarship award in 2017. Through the many years of co-directing and teaching at Ballet Folklorico de Carolina with her mother, she now sees herself as a mentor and role model.

Chelsea Asman​ earned her B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Chapman University and is a recent graduate of University of California, Irvine where she earned her M.F.A. in dance. As a graduate student Chelsea had the privilege of working as Professor Emeritus Donald McKayle’s teaching assistant, and additionally taught courses in jazz, modern, and social dance. Chelsea has also taught at Loyola Marymount University, Fullerton College, and The Gabriella Foundation. Chelsea has performed with Los Angeles based companies such as; Invertigo Dance Theatre, Diavolo Dance Theatre’s Education Company, Kairos Dance Company, and Multiplex Dance. Her choreography has been shown throughout Los Angeles, including L.A. Dance Festival and MixMatch Dance Festival. She has also choreographed for Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley, CA. Chelsea is the founder of the Contemporary Modern Dance Collective where she held the position of Committee Chairman from 2013 to 2016. She also co-produced the first Women Manifest Dance concert for women empowerment in West Hollywood, CA in 2016. In addition to her dance training, Chelsea is a certified personal trainer. She wrote her M.F.A. thesis on how to incorporate muscular strengthening and cardiorespiratory endurance training into a collegiate level modern dance technique class. It is her goal to enhance the performance ability of dancers through her knowledge of exercise science.

Tina Banchero is TGF’s Artistic Director and holds her BA in Dance & Women’s Studies from SUNY at Buffalo. Tina toured internationally and performed professionally with companies based in San Francisco for 15 years before relocating to Los Angeles. She was the former Artistic Director of Dance Mission Theater’s Youth Program in SF where she grew the non-profit dance school from 40 to over 400 students and directed their award-winning youth dance company the Grrrl Brigade. As a Teaching Artist Tina has taught for Luna Kids Dance, the Alvin Ailey Dance Camps in Oakland and NYC and many Elementary, Middle and High Schools in the Bay Area and New York. Tina was an Artist Mentor and Teaching Artist with the Performing Arts Workshop in SF and has judged & taught master classes for Dance Masters of America. She has also choreographed for the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, the Light in the Grove Benefit for the National AIDS Memorial, and Trolley Dances SF.

Laura Berg works with Los Angeles-based company Acts of Matter and is co-creator of WHYTEBERG.  WHYTEBERG creates and performs work for stage and film, and teaches professionals and college students.  Laura received her BFA in Dance from California Institute of the Arts and trained at London Contemporary Dance School, where she collaborated with international designers and choreographers based in London, including company Dot2Dot.  Until attending CalArts, Laura studied the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum at Los Angeles Ballet Academy.

Anthony Berry was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. He graduated from Community Charter Early College High School in 2010, and is currently attending Cal State Northridge as a Journalism Media major in hopes to have an Underground Hip-hop Radio station. During his junior year of high school he was introduced to Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad. He began training with Jackie and Leigh in Hip-hop dance, and his commitment led him to be an original member of Versa-Style Next Generation. After performing with Versa-Style Next Generation in Versa-Style’s “Positive Dose” in October 2011, Anthony was asked to join the core company, with whom he has been dancing with for 5 years now. He has loved dance ever since he can remember, and he puts his heart and soul into every performance and battle he participates in.

Anthony Lee Bryant began his dance training in his hometown of Elkin, NC.  While studying under Pamela Myers Wurdeman at The Academy of Dance Arts and Performance, she mentored and encouraged him to audition for The University of North Carolina School of the Arts for high school.  He earned his high school diploma from UNCSA and then moved to NYC to attend The American Musical and Dramatic Academy for Musical Theater and later Juilliard, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.  Anthony has danced with Disney’s The Lion King, Cathy Rigby’s Peter Pan, Complexions, Aszure Barton, L.A. Dance Project, AntiGravity and others.  He has danced nationally and internationally on stage and in film.  He has also taught dance and gymnastics at dance studios in NC, Atlanta and NYC, including The Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation.  Anthony is excited to work with the students and team at The Gabriella Foundation/everybody dance! 

Originally from Canada, Christina studied in the professional division of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. In 2005, she graduated from the Juilliard School in New York City with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Upon graduation, Christina joined the Koresh Dance Company in Philadelphia. She later returned to Canada in 2007 to join Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, with whom she toured the world. In 2015, Christina relocated to Los Angeles to join BODYTRAFFIC. She has performed for organizations such as Cirque du Soleil, L’Oreal, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Christina is also passionate about teaching. In addition to teaching for TGF, she is on dance faculty at Loyola Marymount University, Windward School, and Marat Daukayev School of Ballet.

Sarin Cemcem was born and raised between Orange County and Los Angeles, California. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Art History with an emphasis in Surrealism from the University of California Los Angeles. Sarin has worked in Museum Education at the Orange County Museum of Art, leading tours for students of different ages and developed interpretation for gallery experiences. Her most recent position was as Coordinator of Education Programs at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the largest non-profit arts institution in Orange County. In December 2017, Sarin completed her Master of Arts in Museum Studies at the University of San Francisco. Sarin is excited to be part of the amazing team at the Gabriella Foundation! Outside of work, Sarin loves exploring the vast culture of Los Angeles with her toy Australian Shepherd Combo!

Cindy is the Dance Office Registrar at the Burlington location of everybody dance! Cindy is in charge of the day-to-day activities of the Burlington dance office. She keeps track of the attendance and tuition fees, and fields all parent questions. The registrars are the bridge between parents and staff. She, along with the other registrars, help the studios run smoothly. Cindy is fluently bilingual in Spanish and English, and translates for parents whenever needed. She has been working with children since 2010 and has a real passion for it. Dedicated to doing her best, she always comes in with a smile and a positive attitude. Cindy loves music and dance, which make her experience at everybody dance! much more rewarding. Cindy lives in the outskirts of Los Angeles, California.

P. Valerie Dauphin is the Company K!ds Director and Dance Instructing Artist at Gabriella Charter Schools in Los Angeles. Valerie’s dance training and performances include Salsa, House, Samba, Hip Hop, and numerous dances of the African Diaspora. She is most passionate about the freedom and exhilaration experienced through the fusion of styles like AfroHouse and Salsa Hip Hop and has taught group dance classes at various studios and gyms in L.A., including the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, Heartbeat House, Your Neighborhood Studio, and Sweat Pilates, as well as having served as Adjunct Faculty in Sports and Wellness at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Valerie is also an Award-Winning Published Author of a book that guides readers to access their innermost dreams through the power of dance. Additional teaching artist residencies and guest facilitation include the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA), artworxLA, YouTHink, L.A. Arts Group, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, The I Have a Dream Foundation, Inner City Arts, The Los Angeles LGBT Center, Venice Eco-Festival, and a special dance class for a top 10 tech company. As a 2018-2019 Arts for LA ACTIVATE Fellow and California Arts Education Leadership Cohort Emerging Leader, Valerie works towards the attainment of equitable access to the arts for all California youth.

Ivys is a teaching assistant at TGF’s new after-school site on the campus of Dr. Maya Angelou High School. She was also TGF’s very first Los Angeles County Arts Commission summer intern in 2017. Through her internship, Ivys gained a lot of experience on what it is like to work at a non-profit organization, and she even taught her own art classes for SummerDance camp. She is also a former student at everybody dance! where she trained in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz during her high school years. Dancing at everybody dance! helped her gain a lot of confidence and passion for dance. She is currently attending California State University of Los Angeles, majoring in Child and Family Studies.

Kate Dougherty is originally from Glenmoore, Pennsylvania. Kate began studying dance at Premiere Dance Studio at the age of five. She was awarded a talent scholarship to attend Muhlenberg College where she earned a BA in dance. Kate has trained, taught and danced in New York City, Italy and Los Angeles, working with CoreDance Contemporary, Emotions Physical Theater, Keith A. Thompson, Charlotte Boye-Christensen, and Dorrell Martin and has performed at such venues as Spazioseme di Seme in Arezzo, Italy, APAP at Peridance Capezio Center in New York City, and The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Besides dance, Kate has studied many other movement styles including aerial silks, capoeira, acrobatics, and break dance.

Anat has a BFA in Theater Arts from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she performed before moving to Los Angeles. Anat’s been passionate about the arts from a young age, dabbling in many different forms- acting, writing, comedy, music, and dance. She’s trilingual and speaks English, Spanish, and Hebrew. Anat loves kids and has worked as a nanny and camp counselor, and is always delighted to see young students expressing themselves and connecting through art.

Brianna grew up in California and received most of her early training under the prestigious ballet masters Patrick Frantz, (Paris Opera Ballet), Rebecca Wright, (ABT) and Marat Daukayav, (Kirov Ballet). Brianna then trained and danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet before going on to perform leading roles in many other Nationally recognized companies including: State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, LA Classical Ballet, City Ballet of LA, California Festival Ballet, LA Opera, and Luminario Ballet of LA, where she was also the assistant rehearsal director and assistant choreographer to Mr. Stefan Wenta and Jamal Story of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Brianna also has many film and T.V. credits including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Castle, Emmy Awards, Deal or No Deal, and Dancing With The Stars. Brianna loves teaching ballet and is very excited to pass on all of her incredible knowledge and joy of dance.

Leo Flores is an undergraduate at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he is a double major in Dance and Political Science. Leo is the lead member of Versa Style Next Generation where he works and strives to help grow himself and his peers in Street Style culture and dance. Leo also serves as a teaching artist for Versa Style: Performance, Education, Community to bring an enriching dance experience to the youth of Los Angeles. Leo has served as a counselor for the renowned UCLA Summer Dance Intensive. In addition, Leo is well versed and experienced in Martial Arts. Leo uses different movement forms to inform and improve his artistry and craft to give students the best possible experience.

Melissa is the Program & Operations Coordinator for TGF. Born and raised in San Francisco, Melissa spent her childhood and teenage years taking various dance classes, ballet and jazz being her favorites. However, upon entering college, Melissa decided to study film and television production. As a result, she graduated from Santa Clara University, with a degree in Communications, emphasizing in Film. After spending the last few years working in the world of film and television, Melissa decided to return to her passion of dance. As luck would have it, TGF was the perfect fit. Outside of work, Melissa can be found rooting for her favorite sports team (Go Clippers!) and exploring the flavors of Los Angeles (a.k.a. constantly trying new restaurants).

Ernesto was born on January 7, 1993 and has lived in the San Fernando Valley his entire life. Ernesto’s dance career started when he first met Jackie Lopez, co-director of Versa-Style Dance Company, through an after-school program in the sixth grade at his middle school. Later, Ernesto received scholarships from the Flourish Foundation to take Hip-hop dance courses at the Jonette Swider Dance Center where Jackie then introduced him to Leigh Foaad, the other co-director of Versa-Style. In 2009, Ernesto was one of the original members of Versa-Style Next Generation, but is now a Principle Dancer and Social Media and Marketing Director for the Company, and Co-Director of Versa-Style Next Generation. He graduated from UCLA in 2015 and has now been dancing Hip-hop for about 12 years. Ernesto’s goal now is to pass on his knowledge and inspire the future generations through hip-hop and its culture.

G’bari Gilliam, a.k.a. “GQ”, grew up in Berkeley, CA. He began dancing in the Bay Area at the age of 13. His first style of dance was West African dance. But in high school he took in an interest in Hip-hop dance and began choreographing dances for Berkeley High School’s annual pep rallies. During the summer of his Junior Year in High school, he participated in the UCLA Dance/ Theatre Intensive, where he was introduced to Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad. He later attended UCLA and received his degree in Dance in June of 2016. G’bari has been a member of Versa-Style Dance Company since June 2014. Starting with Versa-Style Next Generation then later being promoted to Versa-Style’s Core Company in September 2014. G’bari has knowledge of many styles of dance such as hip-hop, house, whacking, West African, ballet, contemporary and more.

Brenda is a Los Angeles native. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and is a first generation college graduate. Her passion for dance and music manifested itself at the tender age of 13 when she joined the Virgil Middle School Hip-Hop Dance Club, resulting in a love for contemporary, jazz, and modern and the self-expression that it provided. During her high school and college years, Brenda continued feeding her love of dance by taking various dance and theater courses and is thrilled to keep that passion alive by being a part of The Gabriella Foundation team.

Shenandoah Harris was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. From a young age she was involved in both Theater and Dance. Upon moving to California she continued to pursue her love of dance training at several programs in the Bay Area including Alonzo King Lines Ballet. She went on to receive her BFA in Performance and Choreography from University California, Santa Barbara with a second degree in Theater Production and Design. Shenandoah has trained under many different pedagogies of dance including but not limited to; the acclaimed Akram Khan Company, The Dance Education Laboratory of the New York Public School System, Limon Dance Company, Batsheva Dance Company and Diavolo Architecture in Motion. Upon moving to Los Angeles Shenandoah began working as a Lighting Designer and Technician with Mattel Toys, Golden Voice and Universal Studios as well as dancing as a freelance performer for several projects and music videos. Shenandoah currently tours nationally and internationally with Diavolo Architecture in Motion as both a Performer and Dance Educator. In addition to touring, she is also the Artistic Director of her own athletic modern dance company, Psychopomp Dance Theater, currently in its second season.

Cynthia Hernandez was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Her passion for dance arose in the year of 2006 when she met her mentors, Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad. Inspired by her mentors, Cynthia began to continue training with Versa-Style where she attended Community Classes and Summer Intensives at the Jonette Swider Dance Center. After many years of hard work, Cynthia was asked to join Versa-Style’s Junior Company (Versa Style Next Generation) in 2009. There, her vocabulary in dance widened from a variety in styles consisting of House, Popping, Locking and Hip Hop social dances. Her hard work and dedication moved Cynthia up from Junior Company member to Core Dancer in Versa-Style. Cynthia is now attending California State University Northridge where she plans to earn a degree in Public Health.

Natasha started dancing when she was three years old and followed her passion for movement all the way to college where she graduated with a BA degree in dance. Today she spends most of her time dancing and performing with choreographers around Los Angeles as well as teaching children the joy movement can bring in her dance classes. She strongly believes in the power of dance to build confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of self and is so excited to help all of her students find their creative voice this school year!

Alice is a ballet instructor at TGF. She first began her dance training at everybody dance! at eight years old, completing her ballet training at the Marat Daukayev School of Ballet and Los Angeles California High School for the Arts. She trained under the tutelage of Vera Ninkovic, Marat Daukayev, Hasmik Amirian, and Edouard Kouzmitch. Alice has performed professionally with Runway Ballet and Hollywood Ballet; she has also performed in TV shows including ABC’s Bunheads and Agent X. She has been a professional dance instructor for eight years and currently teaches for everybody dance!, Camino Nuevo Charter Academy, and other Los Angeles-area dance studios. Alice is excited to share her love of dance with her students.

Stephanie’s professional career has spanned more than 20 years and she has worked extensively as a teaching artist, choreographer, and dancer. She has worked with many musical artists, including Cher, Tina Turner, Chemical Brothers, and Panic at the Disco. She danced or choreographed commercials for Pepsi, Gap, Ford, and K-mart, to name a few. Some television credits include: Dancing with the Stars, Baby Daddy, Cougar Town, and various award shows. Film credits: La, La, Land, Gangster Squad, The Muppet Movie, Valley Girl (2018), She’s all That, and more! Stephanie has also been a soloist for the LA Opera and danced with several dance companies. As a teaching artist, beyond everybody dance!, Stephanie is on faculty at the Academy of Musical and Dramatic Arts College and Conservatory. Stephanie LOVES dance. She is thankful and proud to pass on her knowledge and experience to future generations of dancers.

Anthony is a contemporary dancer based out of Los Angeles. He has previously trained with Amy Bates-Nakamura, Mike Esperanza, Lee Martino, Tyce Diorio, and Will Johnston. Anthony holds his BA in dance from Loyola Marymount University. He has had the privilege to present works and teach at Chapman University, The American Dance Training Camp, Club Jete, Millennium, Boogiezone Utopia, The Lineage Emerging Artists Series, The American College Dance Festival, Loyola Marymount University, and numerous other high schools/dance studios. Anthony is currently on faculty at Dance Precisions. One of Anthony’s proudest accomplishments is being artistic director/founder of Blurredink, a Los Angeles-based contemporary dance company.

Yesenia Macedo-Lopez is a native-Spanish speaker, born in Guerrero, Mexico and raised in South Central Los Angeles. As a first generation student, Yesenia graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in Community Studies and Education. Inspired to learn more about other cultures, Yesenia moved and lived in NYC for twelve years. Prior to joining TGF, Yesenia developed into a seasoned, effective arts and social justice education leader and professional at DreamYard, an arts integration social justice organization in the Bronx. Yesenia participated in professional development opportunities such as, PASE/Baruch College Emerging Leaders Program, UCLArts and Healing Social Emotional Arts Learning Program, Columbia Developing Leaders Program and Racial Equity in the Arts Innovation Lab. As a passionate social dancer, Yesenia aspires to continue her career in dance education, social emotional arts learning and social equity work. Yesenia is excited to uplift and transform her own community.

Assata is a professional tap dancer from Los Angeles. She is a part of the all women viral sensation tap group, Syncopated Ladies, who Beyoncé hired to perform at her Top Shop Ivy Park Launch in London. In her youth, Assata trained with Paul and Arlene Kennedy and Universal Dance Designs. As a UCLA undergraduate, she studied under Lynn Dally, Artistic Director of Jazz Tap Ensemble. She also studied at the Jacob’s Pillow Tap Program in 2010 and 2012. She has taught at the DC Tap Festival and at Sarah Reich’s Monday Night Tap Experience. Assata teaches throughout Los Angeles at TGF, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Creative Learning Academy, and Chloe & Maud Foundation. Assata is a member of Ric’key Pageot & Dessy Di Lauro’s Parlor Social. Her passion is to inspire others through dance to express their gifts and discover their passion and purpose.

Katelyn has been a teaching artist with TGF since 2013. She works with the CNCA program, focusing on musical theater, jazz, ballet, and hip hop dance. Originally from New Hampshire, Katelyn graduated from Loyola Marymount University with two degrees, one in dance and one in communication studies. Along with teaching, Katelyn also dances professionally. She is a member of the contemporary dance company Kairos Dance Company. She has also had the pleasure to dance on TruTv, in film, music videos, and live events, including musicals and dancing at the Staples Center. She is currently directing her first children’s musical. Musical theater holds a special place in her heart, she loves how it asks children to express themselves through movement and song. Katelyn hopes to impart on her students that hard work and dedication are the key to any successful career path!

As a TGF Registrar since 2003, Liz receives monthly tuition payments, answers phone calls, enters data, helps instructors, monitors the parent waiting area, and supervises parent volunteers. Prior to her work at TGF, Liz served as a caregiver for the elderly from 1978-1998 and volunteered in the Downey Unified School District from 1984-1989. Liz worked for LAUSD at Virgil Middle School from 1997-2002 as the school’s “Parent Liaison” and was instrumental in opening Virgil’s first Parent Center in 1999. The Parent Center empowered parents to get involved and have a positive voice in their children’s education – setting this example being her heartfelt purpose. She was introduced to everybody dance! in 2000 when its doors opened and her daughter Lizzie joined one of the first dance classes.

Joyce Martinez Nuñez is a proud Angelino native, whose influence for music and dance comes from her mother Irene, who started dancing at a tender age of 3. Consequently, Joyce began to dance at a young age as well. When she’s not reading articles on current news and trends, you will find her enjoying a Cumbia cardio session. She’s a strong believer in healing and self growth through dance. Her motto: “Treat people (youth) as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.” -Johann Wolfgang Von Goeth. She’s thrilled to join The Gabriella Foundation family as Office Registrar, and is excited to collide two of her biggest passions, dance and working with youth. Her administrative experience will be of great asset to TGF.

Cristina earned a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Italian Studies from Chapman University.  She has trained extensively in Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, Ballroom, and Irish Dance.  Cristina is currently a trainee company member of Chloé Arnold’s all female tap band “Syncopated Ladies” and has also appeared as a Dance-In on CBS’s “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”  She has been featured in J.ournal Poem’s music video, “9/12”, and performed in Steady Holiday’s newest music video, “Who’s Gonna Stop Us.”  She has performed for Oasis Center International’s arts education program that brings tap and live music to public schools alongside Jason Rodgers. Choreographically, Cristina has set work at Chapman University, YAGP, and recently for the L.A.-based/internationally touring band, Moonchild, on their newest official music video, “The List”.  She cares deeply about creating a supportive educational environment for young dancers to cultivate their creative voices.

Julia is TGF’s Executive Director, bringing over 20 years of experience in the fields of public health and human services. As ED of the YWCA Santa Monica, Julia spearheaded the organization’s efforts to become a known convener of programs and partners working to empower women, girls, and families at every life stage and turning point. Prior to the YWCA, Julia served as Director of Fundraising for AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s worldwide HIV/AIDS treatment and care programs – experience that she leveraged from her HIV/AIDS, family planning and maternal/child health work with Population Services International in Washington, DC, and India. As a Director of Community Services for the American Cancer Society, Julia led a small staff and a mighty team of volunteers in implementing cancer education and patient service programs, plus community-wide fundraising events to support cancer research. Julia lives in Santa Monica with her daughter, Isabella, and their “Morkie” Max!

Laurie Muniz, better known as “Lo” a native of San Diego, is the Artistic Director of Contemporary Arte In Movement. Laurie has danced with the Winifred R. Harris Between the Lines Dance Co., the Benita Bike Dance Art Company, and the Patricia Rincon Dance Collective. Stage credits include the National Tour of Selena Forever (Dance Capitan), Veteranos: The Legacy of Valor directed by Enrique Castillo, In the Heights (Dance Capitan) Performance Riverside directed by Carlos Mendoza and the 25th anniversary of Zoot Suit (Dance Capitan) with El Teatro Campesino. Choreography credits include Guys and Dolls at Candlelight Pavilion, Veteranos Legacy of Valor directed by Enrique Castillo, In the Heights (Assistant Choreographer) at Candlelight Pavilion, Corridos Remix with El Teatro Campesino, Romeo and Juliet at East LA Classic Theater Co., The Luis Oliart Project, Nitro, Tribute to Frida Kahlo, Cuentos: From the Living to the Dead, TMK Entertainment, 12 Words of Christmas, Imagine Christmas and Ignite Entertainment.

Marina graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in 2011. She has been teaching for everybody dance! program since 2014. Marina specializes in teaching Luigi technique for JillyJazz Dance Arts. She has performed in Los Angeles in such musicals as A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Cabaret, The World Goes Round, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Pippin. She has also performed in New York in the Rockette Summer Intensive.

Lilian Ortega, AKA LilyBreeze is a Dancer/ B-Girl and Teaching Artist on a mission to heal the world through Hip-Hop. First generation Latina, born in San Fernando, CA. Since birth, Lilian has been exposed to the many influences of Hip Hop Culture from graffiti art, music, and dance. Her dance inspiration flourished from her father who introduced her to Mambo at the age of seven. From 2007-2016, she was dancing professionally for Versa Style Dance Company. In 2014 she graduated from UCLA with a BA in World Arts and Cultures/ Dance. Lilian has traveled, performed, trained, and taught professionally, both nationally and internationally. Her knowledge of dance has been passed down by some of the world’s best dancers, pioneers, and legends. Lilian is currently a Teaching Artist for New Roads, No Easy Props, and Everybody Dance. Aspiring to be fluent in all 4 elements of Hip Hop, Lilian leads by example.

Ricky “Stuntman” RocAny began dancing as a hobby in 1993, but it quickly developed into his lifelong passion.  Perhaps the hallmark of his style is his strong emphasis on musicality and dancing, often channeling not only the instruments of a song, but the lyrics as well. His unique character and originality gained him notoriety among both pioneers and contemporaries.  He has danced in various USA All-Star teams competing both in Paris and London, as well as performances in Mexico, Canada, Sweden, Spain, Holland, and Switzerland, Finland, Panama, Russia, just to name a few.  Other credits include: articles and prints in magazines such as The Source, Dancers Delight (Japan), Show and Prove (SP), and Vibe; his very own B-Boy trading card; various music videos; a feature in The Wade Robson Project pilot; and an appearance on the TV show Dancing with the Stars.

Elizabeth Rodriguez, “EastLos”, is a native Angelina who has worked with inner-city youth since age 12, earning the 2012 Kohl’s Regional Volunteer of the Year Award. Elizabeth was exposed to Hip Hop in high school and focused all of her efforts on teaching dance at non-profits such as Inner-City Arts, the Crown Jewel Club, and J.U.I.C.E. Elizabeth subsequently graduated from UCLA with a double major in Dance and Spanish. Her main styles include Breakin’, Hip Hop, House, experience in other styles under the Hip Hop umbrella, as well as experience in various Latin dance forms. Elizabeth has had the opportunity to study and perform with Open House, Versa-Style Next Generation, Physical Poets, Inner-City Arts Repertory Dance Co. and Contra-Tiempo Futuro. Elizabeth truly believes that everybody can dance and continues to give back to her community, hoping to inspire inner-city youth through Hip Hop.

Sarai Rodriguez has been working with TGF as an intern all summer and has learned to value and appreciate the way art can contribute to the lives of all tiny humans. Since graduating from University of California Merced, she is aspiring to join the work force and influence the lives of children and youth alike. As a first generation college student, she is determined to be an example for those around her including her family, her community, and now her students. She hopes to someday work with adopted and fostered youth, and hopefully implement all she has learned through her internship.

Evelyn is the Dance Office Registrar for our newest location at Maya Angelou High School in South Central. As a former student of the everybody dance program where she took Ballet, Modern, and Contemporary Jazz, she remembers how much it helped her academically and her overall confidence. She graduated from Goucher College with a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish and took many courses in Education as well. She is a native-Spanish speaker and studied Spanish in Córdoba, Argentina for six months. After living in Baltimore for four years, she is excited to be back in her hometown of Los Angeles and to be a part of an organization that welcomed her and her mother back when she was six-years-old. Today she enjoys holding the important role of bridging the parents at Maya Angelou to the everybody dance program.

Ali Simone is the In-School ArtisticProgram Manager with The Gabriella Foundation. She graduated from Wesley Institute in Sydney, Australia with a BA in Dance, specializing in Performance and Choreography. Ali has danced, choreographed and taught internationally in the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Belize and Australia. She has over 15 years teaching experience, including training nationally competitive dance acrobatic teams in Sydney, Australia and working with The Foundation for Sustainable Development to development and implement community dance programs for underserved children in La Plata, Argentina.

Upon returning to the U.S. Ali retired from the professional dance world and began working in education as a Teaching Artist for Gabriella Charter Schools, while teaching with the everybody dance! program in Los Angeles. She went on to work as the Dance Education Coordinator for United Children’s Learning Academy and Center for Autism and Related Services and later became the school’s Preschool Director. In 2018 Ali founded the Los Angeles AcroDance Academy, a dance school specializing in Acrobatics Dance and Contortion.

After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University on a Presidential Academic Scholarship, Ellie Soto moved to North Hollywood to begin her Professional Dance Career.  She is represented by one of the most prestigious dance agencies in the country, Go 2 Talent Agency and has found much success since moving.  Ellie just finished filming the dance film “Heartbeats” in Mumbai, India-which is currently being released worldwide.  She has danced in music videos and on The Ellen Show for Ariana Grande, and on TV shows such as “Mobbed” and “Americas Greatest Hits.”  In addition to commercial work, she has had extensive classical ballet and modern training that she furthered in Alvin Ailey’s Professional Division Summer Program.  She has assisted Tyce Diorio for the hit TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” and was also a Top 22 Female “green mile” finalist for the show in seasons 4&6.  Ellie performs as a member of Emmy Award Winning Tessandra Chavez’s Contemporary/Hip Hop Company “Unity LA.”  She also just began her third tour as a Faculty Member for Velocity Dance Convention, where she travels around the country assisting Professional Choreographers, judging competitions, and mentors young dancers in a different city every weekend.

Shantel “Shanti”  Ureña is a professional dancer, teaching artist and choreographer from Tampa, Florida..the 813! Being of Dominican and Venezuelan descent, salsa, merengue and Dominican Folk dance, Folkloriko we’re introduced to her at the age of 2. Shantel furthered her dance training and enrolled in an academy where she trained in ballet, contemporary and street jazz for 15 years. By the age of 20, she began a focus in the elements of Hip Hop Street-dance styles- and began her training in popping and house. It was within this same year that she made the decision to move to California to pursue a professional career as a dancer and artist. After a short year of living in LA, she was accepted into the  “Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre” where she performed and taught as one of the core members of this company focusing on site-specific movement. Within a year, she was accepted as a touring member of Contra-Tiempo’s Urban Latin Dance Theatre company. Contra Tiempo means ‘Against the Times’ this company focuses on bringing social dance forms on the concert stage, focusing on the in betweens of movement, both with the body and politically. She spent a little under two years here developing her artistry and for the past year has been diving into her own art as a dancer, choreographer and teaching artist.

Shanti’s primary focus  is to combine the un spoken root, truth and  history of Latinos while fusing this with movement. She blends contemporary, improvisation techniques, salsa, merengue, bachata, popping, house, all into one. Creating an abstract style and unique way of moving, essentially living in the in between she like to call her “Sancocho.”

Victoria Villamil was born and raised in the South Bay of Los Angeles County. At an early age, she developed a deep love for music, theatre, and ultimately dance. Victoria’s training in Hip Hop dance began at Boogiezone Utopia in Torrance in 2012. She competed competitively at choreography competitions from high school into college. In 2014, she discovered Versa-Style Dance Company and began taking their weekly Community Classes from them. She became a junior company member of Versa-Style Next Generation and has graduate to become a teaching artist. In her time on Versa-Style Next Generation, Victoria trained in a plethora of dance styles such as Hip Hop, House, Locking, Whacking and much more. Victoria in also a graduate and certified through UniverSOUL’s Art of Teaching Program in 2015 and 2019. Victoria now shares her love of Hip Hop and Street Dance all around Los Angeles. Victoria aspires to help her students share their multi-cultural identities and transform their lives through dance.

Starting at the age of five Keva Walker trained for eight years in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Modern. She has professionally taught dance classes in China and has provided full year dance courses in the Chicago public school system. Goals of inspiring inner city children to learn technique, etiquette and the history of various dance styles led her to moving to Los Angeles, and she now specializes in rare dance forms such as Vogue Femme, Chicago Footwork, and House.

Keva Walker has recently toured internationally with Dawn Richard from the girl group Danity Kane and performed live on stage with Tiesto, Calvin Harris and Armin Van Burren. She has also been a featured dancer and actor in commercials for Miley Cyrus’s MTV/VMA Awards Promo, Nick Cannon’s America’s Got Talent, and upcoming latest film of the Fast & Furious franchise. Music Videos include working with 5 Seconds of Summer, ZHU, Coldplay, Katlynn Simone, and Foster the People.

Ashley Wilkerson has a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she also performed throughout the city. She has performed internationally, touring to Germany, Australia, South Korea, and the Turks and Caicos Islands with shows, and worked with dance companies including Seoul Ballet, Philadelphia City Ballet, Bare Dance Company, and Dorn Dance Company. As a company member of Mecca Andrews’ The MOVEMENT movement, she has performed works for Edge PAC, Art of Elysium, The Getty, and The Broad. She performed with and appeared in videos for musical artists including Daft Punk, Pharrell, Maroon 5, the EC Twins, Nervo, and Martin Solveig. Ashley is also a certified Pilates instructor and a master teacher of barre exercise. She starred in Pop Physique’s DVD collection and lead many of their teacher trainings. Ashley has years of experience teaching dance, for both in-school and after-school programs. She has been teaching for The Gabriella Foundation since 2012 and has been the Artistic Manager since 2017.

Sarah Williams is a native of Baltimore Maryland. Her professional dance career began at the Baltimore School for the Arts. After graduating from BSA she attended Towson University to obtain a BFA in Dance performance. While attending Towson she trained in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Jazz Funk, West African, and Ariel dance. She has had the opportunity to study with Complexions Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey and the Francesca Harper project during her dance education.  After completing her education at Towson University, Sarah started singing background for various artist and bands as well as singing for special event throughout Maryland, DC and New York. Since relocating to Los Angeles Sarah is freelancing as a singer, dancer, and choreographer for specials events and with various artists.

Steve is a globe-trotting master tap dancer and tap teacher who has trained and performed with the Nicholas Brothers, Gregory Hines, and countless other tap notables. He has taught and performed across the United States, Europe, South America, and in China, edited two oral histories housed at prestigious scholarly institutions, and been a member of the Jazz Tap Ensemble and Rhapsody In Taps. Check out his Ted talk “Tap Dancing Is The Story Of America.” Steve recently launched Tap Academy Online, the world’s first subscription-based tap training program, and currently teaches lessons in two languages to subscribers on four continents. Please visit www.tapacademyonline.com. Steve can also be found in the Dance Departments at CSU, Long Beach, and Santa Monica College and giving master classes at various dance studios in Southern California. More on Steve at www.stevezee.com.